Should I Have Attic Inspected For Mold

Attics are one of the most common areas of mold growth in the home.

Should i have attic inspected for mold.

Therefore it really isn t a per se health concern. Second in certain circumstances mold growth can actually occur on the insulation itself. Mold in the attic or anywhere for that matter can be a health and safety hazard when you spot it you have to act fast. If on the other hand the mold growth is already extensive you.

Attics tend to have the perfect conditions for mold growth hot humid and an abundant food source with the wood sheathing. Air rises from the lower levels of the home and up through the attic. Mold spores don t have wings e g they can t fly against an upward flow of air from stack effect within a house so it s extraordinarily rare for attic mold spores to show up on indoor air quality mold tests. You may be able to have the insulation professionally inspected and cleaned.

If your roof leaks or any attic windows leak you ve got moisture in your attic and probably need to consider attic mold removal. First the insulation is often blocking the soffit venting which limits the amount of airflow into the attic. Yes all homes have small amounts of mold. How will i know if i have attic mold.

Unfortunately tests for mold are difficult to conduct and expensive. Mold is one of the three big fear items that home buyers often ask me about during the home inspection process. Assuming you re interested enough in the house to place an offer on it making the sale contingent on your satisfaction with the results of specific inspections for mold lets you back out if the inspection finds a mold problem. A professional mold inspection includes not only sampling but a comprehensive visual inspection to detect issues and problems related to mold that are not apparent to most people without training in building sciences and mold inspections.

There are three main reasons we care about insulation in an attic when conducting a mold inspection. Mold in attic is fairly common because attics are often damp. Simply put if you see mold in a home there is a moisture issue. Add a mold related contingency to your offer.

You ll then need to work with your chosen mold expert to identify the source of the moisture in your attic in order to prevent the infestation from reoccurring. While this pressure can feel overwhelming there are several ways for you to tackle your mold problem the diy way before you have to call in a professional. Although mold is beyond the scope of the home inspection it is something i am always looking for.